--By Yang Xiong, Director of the Institute of Sociology, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

I. Young people are the force that drives social progress

a. The way young people develop is a major indicator of the way society is developing. Young people today are supposed to be doing better than the older generation; they follow and support reform. It would not be right if China were making progress as it opens up while its young people were going backwards.

b. Today, young people in China are patriotic and open-minded. The successful modernization of Chinese society has normalized this and granted the young new qualities and features: First, they advocate freedom while seeking collectivity, and they are full of dreams while being down to the earth; second, their views of politics and the economy tend to be more realistic and rational; third, their value is in their assimilation of self-realization and service to society.

II. The realization of the Chinese Dream depends on young people

a. Working towards the realization of the Chinese Dream and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the main theme of the social movement of young Chinese today. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out on May 4, 2013, "The Chinese Dream belongs to us all but, ultimately, to the young people." The young are full of vigor, vitality and dreams, and in China, young people's pursuit of dreams is always closely related to the rejuvenation of the nation.

b. Now, young Chinese have a strong sense of cultural identity, political identity and international identity. Research shows that the national and international identity of young Chinese are mutually strengthening. When listening to the national anthem, 94.7% of university students reported that they felt proud; 89.5% cited a feeling of their life being closely related to the development of the country. As China's reform and opening deepens, young Chinese are increasingly open-minded and can look at their relationship with the international community with confidence and peace.

III. The realization of the Chinese Dream needs ongoing efforts, generation after generation

a. The Chinese Dream embodies confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics and showcases the broad international outlook of the young Chinese. Continuing along this path requires the efforts of future generations of young people.

b. To realize the Chinese Dream, we have to include young people in key national strategies; investment in the young equals investment in the future. A positive youth public policy should be adopted to provide young people with the chances of participating in public affairs. Understanding is the key to approaching young people and trust is the key to winning them over. I believe young people will carry on our cause.

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